Fourth Street improvements to move forward

It's been back and forth to the drawing board, but soon the Tonganoxie City Council could be moving forward with plans for the third phase of the Fourth Street improvements.

Brian Kingsley of BG Consultants, the city's engineering firm, held a special workshop where he displayed the newest rendering of the plans to expand Fourth Street and to add a five-foot wide sidewalk.

"I think Brian did a really good job listening to all of the people," council member Paula Crook said at the meeting.

The plans brought to the council had the sidewalk on the south side along with the gas lines and it had the total amount of easement Westar Energy would need to install new power poles. The plans also included the 10 to 20 feet of temporary construction easement needed for the project.

"I think it's a pretty reasonable proposal," said Duane Nible, a Fourth Street resident. "The thing that I can see from my front yard, the power lines, are going to be about where they are now."

For now the approval of the new plans will be brought forth to the council for a vote and the council will direct city staff to schedule a public meeting with the south side residents of Fourth Street.

According to City Administrator Mike Yanez, if everything goes smoothly, construction on Fourth Street could begin as soon as March of next year.